Reaping the rewards of our commitment to the UK salad market

For over 20 years, Elsoms has been a name synonymous with excellence in the UK’s horticultural sector, particularly known for its dominance in carrots, onions, and brassicas. But times are changing, and so are we. In 2012, we made a commitment to expanding our salad seed portfolio. Following over 10 years of collaboration with Bejo on our salad range, we are now reaping the rewards of this commitment to the UK salad market. In case you hadn’t noticed, we are serious about salads.

A Collaborative Effort: Elsoms and Bejo Lead the Way

In collaboration with Bejo, one of the world’s leading breeding companies, we’ve been developing a comprehensive portfolio of salad varieties. We are now setting the standards in the UK market. We have carefully curated a selection of salad crops that meet the highest expectations in terms of quality, yield, and resistance. At Elsoms, we only offer quality, and with our new pipeline of varieties, we’re ready to do just that.

When discussing our new portfolio of salad onions, Mark Van Gerven, breeding manager for Alliums at Bejo commented on the collaborative relationship between Elsoms and Bejo.

“We have well over 200 trials at different locations around the world. Each country has its own specific crops and cultivation practices… We strongly believe in evaluation and selection close to the market we are working for.” On trialling and testing new varieties, Mark highlights the importance of working with the local farmers in each area. “We’re present in every relevant market to test our material on site. We don’t rely much on data from a Dutch field and assume it will work in the UK or China… We collaborate with local salespeople and, if possible, with local farmers to pick the best material and set a direction for our work.”

The focus on salads is not a short-term plan. when asked about the pipeline, Mark says “We are constantly evolving and looking to bring more varieties to the market… Our pipeline extends many years into the future to keep introducing crosses that are even better than the current ones.”.

Bremia-Resistant Iceberg Lettuce: A Game Changer

One of the standout achievements in our new salad lineup is the introduction of Bremia-resistant Iceberg lettuce. Bremia, a devastating disease that affects lettuce crops worldwide, has been a persistent challenge for growers. Our new varieties not only boast resistance to this disease but also maintain the crisp texture and robust flavour that consumers expect from Iceberg lettuce.

Yonina Hendrikse, lettuce breeder at Bejo, says “Bremia infection in fully resistant varieties caused by new physio types emerge quite frequently. Lisa Tokelove– Elsoms crop manager for salads – makes sure we receive infections from commercial fields. We test this on our current and future material, this way we try to always introduce varieties that have a full Bremia-resistant package.”

It’s a prime example of how Elsoms and Bejo are leading the charge in breeding innovation, delivering solutions that directly address the needs of the industry.

Read more on our Bremia resistant portfolio

Industry Backing: Positive Feedback from Jepco

Our efforts in developing these new salad seed varieties haven’t gone unnoticed. Leading growers like Jepco have already given positive feedback on the quality and potential of our pipeline.

Elsoms is set to become a formidable force in the UK salad market. – Richard Pett, Development Manager at Jepco

“The introduction of lettuce varieties in 2016 started a closer working relationship with Elsoms. Especially with Lisa whos passion and dedication in implementing a comprehensive trials program has enabled Jepco to select robust and reliable lettuce varieties. We now grow these alongside the established radicchio program. Varieties such as iceberg Charlice have become key varieties within our program and with others to follow.” says Richard Pett, Development Manager at Jepco in response to his working relationship with Elsoms.

“Their confidence in their products further solidifies our belief that Elsoms is set to become a formidable force in the UK salad seed market.”

Expanding Horizons with Little Gem and Romaine

The Little Gem varieties in our portfolio are poised to make a significant impact as well. Whilst this portfolio is not quite commercially available yet, the team is working hard to bring these to market very soon. Our new selections promise not only excellent taste and texture but also improved shelf life and resilience against common pests and diseases. These advancements ensure that growers can meet market demands while minimising crop losses and maximising profits. With the addition of little gem and romaine to our portfolio, Elsoms plan to provide a full portfolio of varieties for each slot in the season.

A Strong Focus on Salad Onion and Spinach

Our commitment to salads doesn’t stop at lettuce. Our portfolio of salad onion and spinach varieties are both making waves in their respective sectors. Both crops have been bred with the UK grower in mind. We are focusing on traits that enhance ease of cultivation and yield consistency. Salad onions are a staple in kitchens across the country, and our new variety offers a uniformity like no other, ensuring it stands out in a crowded market.

Meanwhile, our spinach varieties are designed to thrive in the UK climate, offering excellent disease resistance and high productivity, making it a reliable choice for growers. Bremia resistance is present in this portfolio too, along with our iceberg lettuces.

Radicchio and Celery

Adding to our salad portfolio, we’re excited to highlight our advancements in celery and radicchio. For celery, our focus is on delivering varieties with strong bolt tolerance. This is for early season planting and enhanced resistance to septoria. In radicchio, we offer a range of varieties that excel in yield, head shape, and vibrant colour, providing growers with reliable options for high-quality production. These additions reinforce our commitment to offering a comprehensive and superior selection of salad crops to UK growers.

A Vision for the Future

At Elsoms, we see salad seed as a significant part of our future. Our developments into this market have been backed by years of research, development, and collaboration with industry leaders. As we continue to roll out new varieties, we are committed to supporting UK growers with the high-quality products and the expertise they need to succeed.

In conclusion, Elsoms is more than just a carrot company. We’re bringing the same level of dedication, innovation, and expertise that has defined our success in other sectors to the world of salads. With the introduction of our new salad varieties, we’re not just participating in the market—we’re set to lead it.

Don’t miss your chance to order salad seed for the coming season! Click here to secure your seed.